Abstract

This article is an approach to the study of the syntactic positions that parentetic connectors take in oral discourse in Catalan –in sentential segments particularly– based on the analysis of three connectors with different meanings: «a més a més» (additive), «però» (contrastive) and «doncs» (consecutive). The methodology used is contrastive: firstly, the positions in which all three linking words stand in a corpus of written language (written press) are studied, and secondly, the results obtained are compared with datum coming from an oral corpus constituted mainly of monologic texts. The comparison brings to light that conditions of production of oral modality (immediateness, lack of planning, etc) force to resorting to own strategies to guarantee the connection of the text, like reinforcing a conjunction with a parentetic connector («a més a més»), to promote the conjunctive use of a connector («però») and to assure the connection among subject-rheme («doncs»)

Abstract

L’article se centra en l’anàlisi de les estructures prefabricades, és a dir, de caràcter fraseològic, que indiquen connexió, en un fragment de conversa col·loquial. S’hi analitza el distint grau de gramaticalització que presenten i els valors connectius que indiquen en cada context. Es para especial atenció a la construcció és que, que presenta un grau relativament baix de gramaticalització i que només contextualment pot indicar relacions connectives.

Abstract

In this article, we analyse the characteristics of the grammaticalization process that originates connectors, taking as analysis corpus the book «Costums de Tortosa». We have identified the temporal forms that became interordinate connectors (causal, consecutive, concessive, conditional and adversative), and have outlined the characteristics of the semantic change and of the sintactical reanalysis which can be observed in this process. As an example of this general process, we have analysed the semantic change in the case «encara» / «encara que» and the sintactical reanalysis in the semifixed structure «jasia ço que».

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present a contrastive analysis of reformulation and exemplification markers in Catalan and Spanish, on the one hand, and in English, on the other. The study is based on a corpus of expository prose (mainly academic writing). The analysis shows coincidences regarding the sources of the connectives, but also differences relating to the variety of forms and the preference of fixed or variable connectives. The differences identified in the grammar of Catalan and Spanish vs. that of English will be associated with two distinct styles for building expository texts.

Abstract

The development of highly efficient batteries is a critical need in the automotive industry in order to enable the"br" future success of Electric Vehicles (EV). The optimization of battery stacks integration in EV can greatly benefit"br" from an improvement of Li-ion cells modular assembly and electrical interconnection, while ensuring a high level"br" of safety. This is part of the technical challenges of the European SPICY project."br" In this paper, we present a new polymer-based packaging concept for Li-ion cells. A modular approach is"br" investigated in order to enable a high flexibility in the selection of power output and stack geometry. The design"br" of the polymer packaging is described in details. In addition to the Li-ion cells and USB power bank packaging, a"br" specific connector for packaging assembly is developed. The manufacturing of the initial prototypes by 3Dprinting"br" and demonstrators by injection moulding is described.